Senator Christopher “Bong” Go inspected on Thursday, October 5, a Super Health Center in Barangay San Isidro, Antipolo City, as part of his continuing efforts to bring public services, particularly in healthcare, closer to Filipinos.
As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Go emphasized the critical role of Super Health Centers in the nation’s healthcare system especially in communities.
“Mga kababayan ko, napaka-importante po ng kalusugan… ito ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Kaya po, ‘yan po ang kailangan na i-invest natin — to improve our healthcare especially for poor Filipinos. Unahin po natin ang kalusugan ng bawat isa,” said Go.
The senator expressed particular concern about the financial barriers that deter people from seeking medical care. He highlighted how Super Health Centers could alleviate hospital overcrowding and make healthcare more accessible at the grassroots level.
“Sa mga itinayo nang Super Health Centers, nakita namin kung gaano kalaki ang naitutulong nito sa komunidad lalo na sa rural areas. ‘Yun po ang layunin ng mga Super Health Centers, ang ilapit sa mamamayan ang serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno,” he added.
Go outlined that these centers are designed to focus on primary care, providing medical consultations, and early detection of diseases.
“Ang Super Health Center po is a medium type of polyclinic. Pwede po diyan ang panganganak, dental, laboratory, x-ray at iba pang primary care services. Makakatulong po ito sa early detection ng sakit para hindi lumala. At magiging available diyan ang check-up o pagkonsulta sa doktor para rin madecongest ang mga ospital,” Go said.
Services offered in Super Health Centers include database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine.
“Sa ating pakikipagtulungan sa DOH, LGUs at mga kapwa nating mambabatas, napondohan po ang 307 Super Health Centers sa year 2022 at 322 na Super Health Centers sa year 2023 sa buong Pilipinas… nakakalat po ‘yan sa mga strategic areas as identified by DOH,” explained Go.
Super Health Centers in the province will be strategically located in Binangonan, Jala-Jala, Rodriguez, San Mateo, Taytay and two in Antipolo City, as well as in Angono, Cainta, Cardona, and Tanay.
“Sa tulong po ni Cong. Robbie Puno, siya po ay isa sa mga nagsulong nito sa Lower House para maisakatuparan po itong mga Super Health Center. Salamat rin sa iba pang mga mambabatas na sumuporta sa inisyatibong ito tulad ng mga taga-Rizal na sina Cong. Romeo Acop, Cong. Jack Duavit, Cong. Fidel Nograles, Cong. Dino Tanjuatco at Cong. Jojo Garcia… 11 na Super Health Center po ang itatayo sa probinsya ng Rizal. Kasama ang DOH at lokal na pamahalaan sa pamumuno nina Gov. Nina Ynares at Mayor Junjun Ynares ang mga nagsulong rin nito,” he said.
As an adopted son of CALABARZON region, Go also urged residents to avail of medical and financial assistance from any of the Malasakit Centers located in Antipolo City Hospital System Annex IV, Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital in Rodriguez, Bagong Cainta Municipal Hospital, and Margarito A. Duavit Memorial Hospital in Binangonan.
Malasakit Centers bring together the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), PhilHealth, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
As of now, 159 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, and ready to assist with patients’ medical expenses. DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has already provided assistance to more than seven million Filipinos.
Moreover, Go highlighted the recent passage of RA 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. The said law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.
During his visit, Go took the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of various local leaders. Among them were Governor Nina Ricci Ynares, Congressman Robbie Puno, Mayor Casimiro Ynares III, Vice Mayor Josefina Gatlabayan, and Board Member Randy Puno. In addition, he acknowledged councilors, barangay leaders, representatives from national government agencies, and even the hardworking construction workers at the site.
After inspecting the Super Health Center, Go proceeded to inspect the Antipolo City Hall of Justice, a project he supported as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance.
The senator continues to push for more programs, projects and initiatives that will benefit the province as he previously supported the improvement of the road and drainage system in Angono, Rodriguez and Antipolo City; rehabilitation of the flood control structures along the upper Marikina River in Rodriguez; construction of the Batangas Medical Center Annex in Rodriguez; construction and improvement of a multipurpose building and new roads in Baras; and purchase and installation of streetlights in San Mateo.
Earlier that day, Go also attended the Teachers’ Day celebration at the Ynares Sports Complex in Antipolo City. He likewise distributed aid to indigents in the city.